Overview
Spikenard was an expensive perfume derived from the roots of an aromatic plant, highly valued in the ancient world. It appears in Scripture primarily as a symbol of extravagant worship and devotion to Christ, and as imagery of beauty and love in poetic passages.
Key Scriptures
"Then Mary took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:3, ESV).
"Your ointments are fragrant; your name is ointment poured out" (Song of Solomon 1:3, ESV).
"Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all chief spices" (Song of Solomon 4:14, ESV).
Application
Consider how Mary's costly sacrifice of spikenard challenges us to worship Christ with unreserved devotion, regardless of earthly cost or others' criticism.